The Trap Unfolds

When Elowen heard there was more to the story, she scrambled to her feet and began shrieking that she would claw me to pieces. "You shameless witch! You not only killed my daughter, but you've also been seducing my son-in-law?! I'll see you dead for this!"

I frowned and shoved her away. "Mrs. Kingsley, this is my last warning. Push your luck again, and I won't hold back!"

My tone shut her up for a few seconds, but the crowd had already started pointing and whispering. A few older women were swearing at me outright.

Seeing that the onlookers had sided with her, Elowen's rage surged again. "You filthy tramp—I'll rip that smug face of yours off and teach you some decency!"

This time, I didn't hold back. She barreled at me, I kicked out, and she went flying and landed hard on her face, losing a front tooth in the fall. Her gray hair flew in disarray, and the hate on her face grew uglier.

"I never seduced your son-in-law," I snapped. "Believe it or not, he made this up!"

She wiped blood from her mouth and snorted. "A thief never admits stealing. Who's going to believe you?"

"Why do you believe him when he says I seduced him? You can't just smear my name with nothing to back it up."

"What's proof if not this?" Felix held up his phone and displayed a string of messages.

Elowen snatched the phone, smirking as she read aloud, "Felix, are you free today? Let's catch a movie and grab dinner—being alone for the holidays is so lonely."

"Felix, do you think my pajamas look nice tonight? My door's unlocked—you can come over anytime."

"Isla really has such a nasty temper, doesn't she? She's anything but gentle. I'd never throw a tantrum like that—I'd probably just feel sorry for you instead."

The crowd gasped. Their looks at me were no longer just disdainful; they were full of contempt. Fruit peels, snack wrappers, and empty bottles started flying toward me, staining my hair and clothes.

"You wretched bitch—anything to say for yourself?"

I hadn't expected Isla to have set up so much behind my back—she'd even used my phone to message Felix secretly.

Felix's smile turned venomous. "Faye, what goes around comes around. She's dead now—you either pay with your life or your money."

At last, the cat was out of the bag. It was about money through and through. I thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll say it one more time: I didn't push her. Isla did drop into the river while holding the ticket and drowned. As her friend, I'm willing to cover part of the funeral expenses, but you must cremate her first."

"Cremate her?" Elowen screamed, then turned to Felix, panic plain in her eyes.

Cremation or Confrontation

"Absolutely not!" Felix rushed to speak up. "She hasn't had a proper funeral, and my daughter hasn't had a chance to say goodbye—how can you cremate her?!"

Elowen was quick to back him. "Exactly. Are you even human? Joy hasn't seen her mother for the last time yet. I won't allow an immediate cremation."

Then, Felix's face lit with a sudden realization. "I know! You're rushing to cremate her to cover up your crime, so the police won't find any clues."

Instantly, everyone nodded in unison.

"What a scheming woman! Must be afraid some evidence will be found. Otherwise, why rush to cremate her?"

"And wicked too. She won't even let a little child say goodbye to her mother. It's monstrous."

They moved to stand between Isla and me, shouting at me as one.

"We can't let you get away with this. That poor woman has already suffered enough."

"We'll protect the evidence until the police can make her pay."

Seeing how strongly the crowd supported them, Elowen and Felix exchanged a look and both wore thin, triumphant smiles.

Memories of my previous life prickled at the edges of my mind, and my body trembled with a cold I couldn't shake. "Fine," I said. "If you won't agree, then forget about my compensation or funeral contribution."

At that, I slumped back on the ground and stared at them. "If you're so sure I killed her, then call the cops—let them sort it out."

'Hmph. Let them hurry—when the police come, their true colors will show.'

As expected, Felix ground his teeth. "Alright—we'll cremate her, but you have to hand over her coat first."

His sudden demand for the coat made everything click in my head—of course, the prize ticket had to be in the pocket.

But before I could reply, he reached for it again and tried to snatch it. I clung to the coat with everything I had. In the tug, a small piece of paper fluttered out and drifted to the ground. I grabbed it and saw that it really was my ticket.

Having grabbed it first, I saw the disappointment flash across Felix's face. He glared at me with hatred. "My wife lost her life over this. You must give it to us as compensation."

I frowned at him. "Felix, you just accused me of pushing your wife into the river, and now you say she died because of this ticket. Think before you speak. Besides, you've never even seen the ticket—how do you know it was a big one? Why should I give it to you?"

Felix turned shameless. "Don't question me. Just hand over the ticket now, and everything will be settled. If not, you can pack your bags for prison."

"You're right," I said, pulling out a lighter and looking at him coldly. "Isla died because of this ticket. If it meant so much to her, then fine. I'll burn it and send it to her in the underworld."

A dark, eerie smile spread across Felix's face. "You won't dare do it. You'll never earn that kind of money in a lifetime."

"Is that so?" I quirked a brow and brought the lighter closer to the edge of the ticket. The corner curled from the heat, and a thin plume of blue smoke began to rise. Instantly, Felix cried out, "No! Don't—"

And then, as if dragged back from beyond the grave, Isla suddenly sat up and lunged toward me.